UV gymast cartwheels to success Odag rises from pain of tragedy to bask in the glow of golden glory

CEBU, Philippines - Losing a father so dear to her at a very young age is something that the talented and hardworking Cebuana gymnast Eunice Odag had wished was just a bad dream.

At 13, Eunice can longer enjoy the loving embrace and sweet caress of his father Lito Odag, one of the two security guards who died in a shootout following a bank robbery at Robinsons Place in September last year.

So tragic that episode of her life was that she felt her whole world has gone down. Deeply saddened by the departure of her biggest fan to eternity, Eunice had thought at one point to call an end to her blossoming gymnastics career.

"Her father was the one who encouraged her to go into gymnastics. Perhaps out of pain and frustration from the tragedy that befell our family, she told me that she would already quit from being a gymnast more so that her father is no longer around to lend her support," recalled Eunice's mother Elma.

But upon the prodding of some well-meaning friends and the all-out support accorded to her by her beloved alma mater, the University of the Visayas (UV), Eunice has mustered enough strength to carry on and eventually continue with her journey as a promising gymnast with a renewed vigor and confidence.

"We're forever grateful to the support given to her by UV. That's the main reason why she decided to go on with gymnastics," said Elma.

Eunice has truly personified fortitude and craftiness in transforming all the trials and tribulations she had gone through into an intangible ladder to golden success.

At least for now.

Seeing action for the first time under the secondary division, Eunice Odag swiftly made an impression by carting away a total of four gold medals in gymnastics competition of the 17th Milo Little Olympics Visayas eliminations at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The petite but graceful athlete handled the different apparatus with great timing and poise on the way to clinch three individual gilts through the rope, ball, hoop and all-around events. She put the proverbial icing on her victory cake by grabbing gold in team event.

"I did not expect to win that many gold medals because my opponents were also very good," said Eunice.

It was indeed an awe-inspiring performance for Eunice as she settled for only silver medals in last year's edition of the country's biggest and most prestigious development sports tournament bankrolled by Nestle Philippines.

"Whatever I achieved, I owe part of it to my coach Darlene Castañeda-de la Pisa for being so patient with me especially in my training," she said.

Coming from a poor family, Eunice values education so much that she is doing everything she possibly can to excel in her field and sustain her studies.

"Through gymnastics, I earn scholarship at UV. That distinct privilege inspires me to strive harder to reap more honor and glory not only for myself, but also for the institution that I represent with pride in my heart," said Eunice.

And no one could be even prouder on her accomplishments than her late father, whom she believes is constantly guiding her, protecting her, and cheering for her from the heavens above.

"My father would have been so proud of me if he was just alive today. But I know he is happy for me wherever he is because it has always been his desire that I will be in gymnastics so I can pursue my studies," Eunice said. (FREEMAN)